Indiana, USA – The 2025 Startup Nations Ministerial convened government leaders, international organizations, and policy experts for a private, high-level dialogue on advancing entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and global cooperation. Hosted for the first time in Indiana, the Ministerial set a bold vision for 2035: to forge a resilient, inclusive, and interconnected global entrepreneurial ecosystem capable of overcoming geopolitical and economic challenges.
The event opened with a warm welcome to Indiana and recognition of the state’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Global Entrepreneurship Network President Jonathan Ortmans, alongside Tom Sullivan of the US Chamber of Commerce, set the stage by highlighting the vital role of entrepreneurs as “new diplomats” fostering trust and collaboration across borders. David Watkins of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation further emphasized Indiana’s ambition to be a global center for economic prosperity, underpinned by the strength of its entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The Ministerial featured a series of insights from prominent international organizations, each contributing unique perspectives on the future of entrepreneurship. Startup Genome launched the APEXE Report, offering a new global ranking of policy effectiveness and spotlighting the transformative potential of AI-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems. UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) shared recent findings on trade policy and AI market trends, advocating for global cooperation and capacity building, especially for developing countries. The OECD Development Centre presented its “Startup for Development” framework and findings from its recently-launched “Startup Asia” report, focusing on the need to widen access for women, youth, and regional entrepreneurs. The OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship called for targeted support for hyper-potential startups and highlighted the “missing entrepreneurs” gap, stressing the importance of policy evaluation. Innovation Growth Lab (IGL) promoted a test-and-learn, data-driven approach to policy design, while the Innovation for Policy Foundation discussed participatory policy development and the implementation of Startup Acts in Africa. The Commonwealth Secretariat emphasized inclusive development, supporting marginalized communities, youth, and women through technical assistance and capacity building.
Ministers and senior officials from nearly twenty countries, including Algeria, Bermuda, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Oman, Portugal, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Uruguay, shared their national experiences and policy innovations. Discussions covered a wide range of themes, such as government support and policy innovation, digital transformation, regulatory simplification, and the need for early-stage entrepreneurship education. Countries highlighted the importance of supporting youth, women, and underserved regions, as well as the persistent challenges of accessing finance, formalizing businesses, and connecting startups with larger industries and universities. International collaboration and peer learning were consistently emphasized as critical for ecosystem development, with ministers calling for a new multilateral mindset that is agile, interoperable, inclusive, and impact-driven.
Speakers emphasized that growth comes from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are crucial not only to the ecosystem but also to improving citizens’ lives worldwide. There was a strong call for courage in the face of challenges, with a shared vision for entrepreneurship to flourish in every nation. The need to treat entrepreneurship as a global infrastructure—rather than a purely local initiative—was a recurring theme, with startups increasingly born global and policies needing to catch up.
Key takeaways from the Ministerial included a strong consensus on the importance of entrepreneurship as a global force for economic growth and job creation, countering trends of deglobalization and isolationism. Governments were urged to adopt bold, effective policies that simplify regulations, enhance access to finance, and invest in digital and future-proof sectors. Inclusive and impactful entrepreneurship—particularly for youth, women, and those outside major cities—was emphasized, alongside the need for collaboration, data sharing, and rigorous policy evaluation. Common challenges identified included limited access to finance, the persistence of informal sectors, and the need for stronger ecosystem linkages.
The Ministerial concluded with a series of action items and invitations, encouraging attendees to connect with speakers and organizations for bilateral meetings and ongoing policy support. International organizations offered advisory and benchmarking services, while several countries extended invitations to collaborate on specific programs, funding mechanisms, and ecosystem integration. The GEC team facilitated ongoing engagement throughout the event, ensuring that the spirit of collaboration and shared learning would continue to drive progress toward the shared vision of a thriving global entrepreneurial ecosystem by 2035.
Participants
Ministers and Senior Officials:
- H.E. Noureddine Ouadah, Minister of Knowledge Based Economy and Startups, Algeria
- The Hon. Jason Hayward MP, Minister of Economy and Labour, Bermuda
- Mr. Renato Soares Peres Ferreira, Head of the Special Advisory, Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Microenterprise and Small Business, Brazil
- H.E. DR. Kan Channmeta Secretary of State, Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, Cambodia
- Dr. Jose Miguel Benavente, Executive Vice President, Chilean Economic Devlopment Agency (CORFO), Chile
- Mr. Ricardo Carvajal Alpírez, Director of Support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Ministry of Economy, Costa Rica
- Ms. Zady Rukiya Ramazani, Secretary General, Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Small and Medium Enterprises, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Hon. Elizabeth Ofoso-Adjare, Minister of Trade, Agribusiness & Industry, Ghana
- Dr. Maliki Maliki, Deputy Minister for Community Empowerment, Population and Labor
- Mr. Amanj Mahmood Assad Harki MP, Head of Innovation and Renewable Energy Committee, Council of Representatives, Iraq
- Mr. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Presidency of the Republic of Nigeria
- Hon. Sen. John Owan Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
- Mr. Jalal Al-Hadrami, Manager – Small Medium Enterprises Development, Oman Investment Authority
- Mr. Antonio Dias Martin, Executive Director, Startup Portugal
- Ms. Nonzuzo Makanda, Chairperson, Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency, South Africa
- Mr. Sachindra Samararatne, Associate Chief Digital Economy Officer, Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka
- Ms. Sara Goldberg, Director, National Agency for Research and Innovation (ANII)
Experts and Hosts:
- Mr. Jonathan Ortmans, President, Global Entrepreneurship Network
- Mr. Matt Smith, Vice President, Global Entrepreneurship Network
- Mr. Tom Sullivan, Senior Vice President, US Chamber of Commerce
- David Watkins, Senior Vice President – Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Indiana Economic Development Corporation
- Mr. Sushil Ram, Commonwealth Secretariat
- Ms. Belinda Baah, Director, Innovation for Policy Foundation
- Dr. Albert Bravo-Biosca, Director, Innovation Growth Lab
- Dr. Vasiliki Mavroeidi, Economist, OECD Development Centre
- Dr. Jon Potter, Head of Entrepreneurship Policy Analysis, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, OECD
- Mr. JF Gauthier, Founder and CEO, Startup Genome
- Ms. Arlette Verploegh, Head, Entrepreneurship Development, United Nations Trade & Development (UNCTAD)